Guilty plea a step forward

TALENTED ARTIST: Carmen Rogers was believed to be getting out of her car when she was hit.

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A New Plymouth father is relieved the man responsible for the death of his wife has pleaded guilty.

In the New Plymouth District Court yesterday, Hogan Lawrence Bolton, 31, entered a guilty plea to a charge of drink driving causing the death of Carmen Rogers.

The charge relates to an incident on May 6 after Bolton hit the New Plymouth mother of two children with his vehicle on Brougham St. She later died in Wellington Hospital as a result of her injuries.

Following a breath test by police at the scene, Bolton blew 1297 mcgs, more than three times the legal limit of 400mcgs.

Carmen Rogers' husband of 21 years, Che Rogers, said the plea represented a step forward for the family.

"It means he obviously acknowledges what has happened," he said.

Although he was not in court for the hearing, Che Rogers said police had kept him informed about the case.

He said although the guilty plea was welcomed, it was also a stark reminder about what had happened to his wife.

"It's not easy," he said.

During yesterday's hearing Bolton's lawyer, Kylie Pascoe, said a referral for a restorative justice meeting would also be made to see if a meeting could be held between her client and the Rogers family.

Che Rogers said this was something he and his two children were open to attending as he wanted to see something positive happen out of the tragedy of Carmen's death.

"What's important is that this doesn't happen again," he said.

Pascoe asked for the summary of facts not to be read in court as there were some minor matters to resolve with police before her client was sentenced.

Judge Max Courtney remanded Bolton on bail and requested a pre-sentence report before he appeared on July 4 for sentencing.